Religion

Early followers of Christ were not known as Christians, but as people of the Way. This nugget of information has always intrigued me. Perhaps the intrigue is evoked by the various movements that still arise in society. Early on, there was an understanding that following a person was itself a recognition that each day is a unique opportunity to enter the process of dying and rising. We have models, examples, in the various persons who opted for Christ as described in Scripture.

The emails I receive often carry with them little nuggets of wisdom. I am struck with the wisdom and inspired to ponder them beyond a glance and a quick move to the next objet d’art. This one was presented by Grace Lee Boggs via the Daily Good website. She wrote: “We never know how our small activities will affect others through the invisible fabric of our connectedness. In this exquisitely connected world, it’s never a question of ‘critical mass.’ It's always about critical connections.”

I like to believe there is nothing coincidental or accidental in our lives. I am wont to ponder all as being part and parcel of Providence acting to evoke our awakening to the divinity hidden in our humanity … in all creation. Actually, it is more than my “liking” to which I refer. It is my experience.

The women of the Philippines worked as a team with others to put together the worship service for World Day of Prayer 2017. They began their labor by listening to stories, especially news of the day a horrendous typhoon made landfall in their country. The tales they heard contained more than details of horrors seen and endured. They were revelations of resilience and faith. But, they were also narratives that evoked more questions than answers.

Hubby Dear often speaks fondly of his godmother, a Roman Catholic nun now deceased. She was a woman of faith, fidelity, and forcefulness. The bar was always raised in her presence. On one occasion in his life, when H.D. was just knee high to a grasshopper, he received a card from her that bore a simple message, but one he has never forgotten. It read, “An obstacle is something that gets in the way when you take your eye off the goal.”

I frequently state my inadequacy regarding history. There were so many facts, dates to memorize with accompanying names of rulers or tyrants, winners and losers. I had a hard time keeping them straight. So, it was cram for the exam and don’t give heed to any future impact. No one ever offered the option to view history as our human story. No one tried to make it interesting. No one seemed to think that one day I might … one day we might … beg, “Tell me a story before I go to sleep.”

Grandparents take special pride in the accomplishments of their grandchildren. It matters little what the success might be. It could be taking the first steps, speaking first words, riding a bike, learning to read or color or write. What is important is the “first-ness” — the courage to move beyond what is to what can be. What is important is the brave movement into creativity, however it is expressed.

It has been a long, long preparation time for this country, for all of us who live here and call it our homeland. Replete with care and concern, angst and anticipation, it is yet the land we love. It is yet a place where diversity births distinctive unity. It is where we both find our lamps and light them to banish the darkness of hatred, bias, prejudice and evil of all sorts and dimensions.